UK To Pardon Codebreaker Alan Turing Who Was Convicted Of 'Gross Indecency' For Gay Relationship

Alan Turing, a British mathematician, cryptanalyst, and computer scientist, had one of the most celebrated minds of the 20th century. His “Turing machine” was a precursor to the modern computer, and he helped crack codes used by Nazi Germany in World War II, significantly helping the British war effort.

He was also gay, and, in 1952, he was convicted of “gross indecency” for having a homosexual relationship with a man. He had his security clearance removed, and he was chemically castrated. He killed himself two years later at the age of 41.

For 60 years, people in the U.K. have campaigned to have Turing pardoned. Today, it appears that has happened. The Independent reports that Turing has been officially pardoned by Queen Elizabeth under the little-known Royal Prerogative of Mercy.